Thursday, February 02, 2006

Increasing number of distress pupils in Singapore.


Life is a mundane. Everyday, you go to school, study, doze off in the middle of the lesson, and homework pile up on your table the minute you reach home. Yes. I strongly agree that students in Singapore experience STRESS, and it is a high level of stress than students in other countries. Can you imagine that the number of students committing suicide is increasing tremendously in Singapore? This proves to show that Singaporeans yearn for perfection and everything that a child does has to bring good reputation to the parents.

Parents usually compare their children's academic results with others (usually children's peers) and do not realise that this may lead to a rise in the children's level of stress, causing their performances to deteoriate. Children of other countries like Australia have a tendency to lead a more relaxed life than in Singapore as the education in Singapore seem to focus more on the academic side of us. People have different abilities and their talents do vary. If parents do understand us, they should see the potential in us and not pressurise us in terms of academic results.
However, it may not be the parents that overstress the kids. Sometimes, it can be the nature that is being possessed in the person him or herself. He can be hardworking or even bright in nature, which can bring him good in the future. However, if he, due to his diligence in wanting to score high marks, may bring distress to him.

It is always in many students' perception that stress is bad, but just how many are aware that stress is also beneficial?

An optimal level of stress is needed to improve performance in whatever task one does. Increasing the level of stress can prompt a person to perform better.

However, if the good stress becomes a distress, the consequences are unimaginable. People experiencing distress may commit suicide, self-mutilation or even suffer from depression.
In such problems, parents should be aware of a child's expression or physical movement. This will help to look out for signs of distress. Parents should also let their kids have a world of their own. Therefore, they may not be focusing so much on their studies but also have some free time with their own interests. Social gathering can be one way that can help people relieve stress.

So in conclusion, stress is part of our lives. Parents should help their child do better in the future by allowing their child to be more flexible. We should attain an optimum level of stress so that whatever we do, we strive to succeed.
(436 words)

Jasmine aka Lihin
1:07 PM

All about me

Jasmine Siah Li Hin
20
Junyuan sec, Meridian JC, NTU

Love and Hate

Wants and likes
To travel around the world
More sleep
To play piano all my life
Watching dramas, hong kong, taiwan,korean series..
All my beloved friends in mjc
All my beloved friends in junyuan 4E3,06
All my beloved friends in choir, be it mj or jyss
All my beloved friends in CCS Mjc
All my beloved friends in NTU To sing
To bowl
To hang around with my friends
To play mahjong--someone has to teach me tai!
To continue playing the piano
Hates
People who shirks responsibilities
Being too stressed
Being lonely
Being too sensitive
Being bullied